The Zebop ~ Cedric West is my Tribute to Jazz Guitarist Cedric West, a highly respected musician who made his mark on the Post WWII Jazz World from Rangoon, through Calcutta to London.

 

Here is a very young Cedric with Reuben Solomon and the Jive Boys in Calcutta c.1943. You can hear a recording featuring Cedric and his young Wife Nesta West at the foot of this Post.

 

 

I was fortunate to meet Cedric during the early 1980’s whilst I was studying in London. Cedric kindly introduced me to the fine Art of unaccompanied Jazz Guitar Playing both in lessons and in seeing / hearing him play in Venues in the East End of London and at Recording Sessions in Maida Vale Studios. A gentle, quietly spoken and humble man who was indeed a Master of his Art which came about as a quirk of fate as I recall. I remember Cedric telling me that he was actually a Trombone Player who woke one morning having had a slight stroke which effected his upper lip. Consequently, he switched to Guitar and the rest is history.

 

His musical achievements are very well summarised on Wikipedia and Gypsy Jazz UK so I’ll leave interested readers to read all of the details there if they wish.

 

Some highlights include his two Studio Albums as Leader of the Cedric West Guitar Ensemble : West Meets East, Columbia 33SX 1617 (1964) and Bach Goes West, World Record Club T641 (1965).

 

 

During the same period, Cedric worked with BBC orchestras and was a member of the Dave Lee Band, the resident band for the satirical television series That Was the Week That Was.

 

 

His session work brought him into the contact with other leading Guitar Virtuosos including his childhood friend Ike Isaacs, Wes Montgomery and the Great Joe Pass who will have all passed through Cedric’s house in Goodmayes, Essex.

 

 

I make a point of introducing all of my Advanced Students to Cedric West as I help them prepare a solo unaccompanied piece for their RGT / LCM Grade 6 to 8 Exams. As the Local Examiners will confirm, “This Masquerade” makes a regular appearance in my Students’ exams and Cedric is to thank for their success.

 

In planning my current production run of Guitars I took some time to take stock of all of the people who have helped me over the years on my Musical Journey. Cedric featured significantly amongst them, so I thought it appropriate to Honour him by adding a Signature Guitar to his Legacy – a humble tribute from Student to Master.

 

Classic Archtop Design

 

Taking inspiration from the Bebop era, the Zebop ~ Cedric West is a large-bodied, Single-Cutaway Archtop, featuring:   Flame Maple Laminate Body with a Vintage Amber Gloss Finish, 2 x P90 Pickups for warm and articulate Jazz Tones, Ebony Fretboard with real Pearl Split Block Inlays. Designed with Cedric in mind, this model is built for Jazz enthusiasts and professional players who appreciate a beautifully formed, authentic and expressive instrument reminiscent of that Classic Era.

 

 

Whilst this is not based specifically on one of the Guitars Cedric played, it is based on Guitars from the Bebop era so I hope Cedric approves. I also hope that his family are happy with my Tribute. I have attempted to make contact during the planning phase for this project without success. Maybe now that Cedric’s Guitar is in limited production I will hear from them soon.

 

Sadly, I lost touch with Cedric when I moved back up North and he passed away in October 1997. Please take some time to reflect on his life by listening to his playing on the videos below…

 

Full Details and Specifications of all of our new Models will be released shortly with an option to Pre-Order as we approach our August launch date.

 

Simon Cassidy

June 2025

 

References

Wikipedia

Gypsy Jazz UK

The Taj Mahal Foxtrot, Naresh Fernandes